Brentford are on the verge of signing Barnsley's Ethan Pinnock, according to Sky Sports News transfer centre [2/7, 12:40 p.m.].

It is suggested that the defender is due to undergo a medical after the clubs agreed a £3m fee.

The Bees are believed to be long-term admirers of the 26-year-old, with Sky Sports News previously reporting that they wanted to sign the Barnsley man in January.

He remained at The Tykes however in order to sustain their promotion challenge, and it was a decision which was rewarded.

Pinnock played in every league game for Barnsley as they were promoted back to the Championship.

It has been somewhat of a meteoric rise for Pinnock, he featured only 15 times for the Tykes as they were relegated from the Championship in 2017/18, but prior to that he was plying his trade in non-league, with six years spent at Dulwich Hamlet.

The Verdict

This is a typically clever move from Brentford, and is reminiscent of the signing of John Egan from Gillingham in 2016, who proved to be a success.

Pinnock was vital for Barnsley last season, and it is quite likely they would not have got promoted without him.

He is a great all-round defender who reads the game well and has pace to track his man well.

Barnsley only conceded a remarkable 39 goals last season, and if Pinnock can replicate the ability and leadership he showed last season, then he should have a very positive effect on the Brentford backline.